Coach Carlo Ancelotti has sparked controversy ahead of the first leg of the Champions League play-off between Man City and Real Madrid at 3am on February 12, with his assertion that Vinicius deserves to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti at the press conference before the match between Man City - Real Madrid
“I don’t think it was a wrong decision. We thought Vini was the most deserving. That doesn’t mean we don’t respect Rodri, because he’s a great player. I think Rodri deserves the Ballon d’Or 2023 instead of Messi,” Ancelotti said. This comment could be interpreted as a criticism of Messi’s win, which has caused controversy over the selection criteria (assessed over a season instead of a calendar year).
Messi's win in 2023 took his record to eight Ballon d'Ors. The Argentine superstar won the award after winning the 2022 World Cup. However, some felt the award should go to a player who has also excelled at club level. Rodri won the treble with Man City in 2023.
Rodri and the 2024 Ballon d'Or award
The 2024 Ballon d'Or has gone to Rodri, the first defensive midfielder to win the award since Lothar Matthaus in 1990. Rodri is the first Man City player to win the Ballon d'Or, after Kevin de Bruyne won the Bronze Ball in 2022 and Erling Haaland received the Silver Ball in 2023. He is also the first Premier League representative to win the award since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008 while playing for Manchester United.
Initially, Real Madrid were almost certain that Vinicius would win the award. Marca previously reported that a 50-member Real Madrid delegation, led by President Florentino Perez, was preparing to go to Paris to "have a blast" receiving the award. The Spanish Royal team had prepared a special 5-hour documentary to be broadcast on Real Madrid TV on the day Vinicius received the award.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti and midfielder Vinicius
Vinicius was also ready for the honor. A party in Madrid was prepared to welcome the Golden Ball. The striker even promised to give each of his teammates a Rolex watch in gratitude. However, at the last minute, Real Madrid's excitement turned into real anger after hearing "side sources" confirming that Vinicius missed out on the 2024 Golden Ball. Real Madrid immediately responded by canceling their plans to go to Paris. As a result, although France Football awarded the "Best Team" award to Real Madrid, no one came up to receive the award. Coach Ancelotti was also absent to "support his students" even though he was named the best coach.
Ballon d'Or 2024 winner Rodri will definitely not be present at the match against Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow morning. Currently, the Spanish star is recovering from surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). He is still registered to play in the Champions League knockout round, but can only return to play in April.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-carlo-ancelotti-rodri-xung-dang-doat-qua-bong-vang-2023-hon-messi-185250211094205238.htm
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